Name: Homemade Horchata
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain white rice; 1/2 cup raw almonds optional but creamy; 1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 4 cups water for soaking and blending; 2 cups cold water or milk to finish; 1/3 cup maple syrup or sugar to taste; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; ice for serving; ground cinnamon for dusting

01

Overview

Prep15 min

Cook0 min

Total15 min

Servings6

DifficultyEasy

02

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice1/2 cup raw almondsoptional but creamy1 cinnamon stickor 1 tsp ground cinnamon4 cups waterfor soaking and blending2 cups cold water or milkto finish1/3 cup maple syrup or sugarto taste1 tsp pure vanilla extract icefor serving ground cinnamonfor dusting

03

Equipment

Blender
Fine mesh strainer
Cheesecloth or nut-milk bag
Pitcher
Measuring cups

04

Method

01

Soak the rice

Rinse the rice. Combine rice, almonds, cinnamon stick, and 4 cups water in a bowl or pitcher. Cover and soak at room temperature 4 hours or overnight in the fridge.

02

Blend until creamy

Remove the cinnamon stick. Blend the soaked mixture on high until very smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut-milk bag into a clean pitcher, pressing well.

03

Sweeten and chill

Stir in cold water or milk, maple syrup or sugar, and vanilla. Taste and adjust sweetness. Chill thoroughly. Serve over ice with a dusting of cinnamon.

✦

Tips

NoteAurora prefers the garnish. I prefer the last bite.

NoteMake it once, then make it yours with tiny swaps.

NoteLeftovers are friends if you store them kindly.

✦

Nutrition

Caloriesvaries

NoteApproximate; depends on servings and toppings

✦

Storage

RefrigeratorStore covered and reheat gently when needed.

Best freshFlavor and texture are happiest the day you make it.

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Frequently asked

Can I change it a little?+

Yes — keep the heart of the method and swap toppings or veggies as you like.

How do I store leftovers?+

Cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat gently when needed.

Is this hard?+

No — easy steps, soft kitchen energy.

Homemade Horchata

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment